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Wu M, Luo R, Hussain M, Wu W, Li S, Guo Z, Jia B, Bi G, Gao X, Wu G, Qin D. Nature-Identical Safranal and Dihydrocoumarin from Ageratina adenophora ((Spreng., 1970) King and H. Rob.) Target Energy Metabolism to Control Solenopsis invicta Buren, 1972 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). INSECTS 2025; 16:540. [PMID: 40429253 PMCID: PMC12111874 DOI: 10.3390/insects16050540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2025] [Revised: 05/16/2025] [Accepted: 05/16/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025]
Abstract
The bio-prospecting of bioactive phytochemicals from invasive flora presents a sustainable paradigm for the ecologically conscious management of major invasive pest S. invicta. Ageratina adenophora, while recognized for its allelopathic insecticidal properties, exhibits poorly characterized toxicological profiles and mechanistic underpinnings against S. invicta, warranting systematic investigation to elucidate its mode of action. This study elucidates the bioactive insecticidal compounds of A. adenophora and their toxicological impacts on S. invicta, including behavioral, metabolic, and enzymatic perturbations, via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) profiling. The ethanol extracts of the roots, stems, and leaves of A. adenophora have shown control effects on S. invicta, with an LC50 (50% lethal concentration) of 331.847, 188.256, and 166.253 mg/mL at 48 h, respectively. Metabolite profiling of A. adenophora revealed that safranal and dihydrocoumarin are relatively high in plant leaves, and they showed significant insecticidal activity and behavioral inhibitory effects on S. invicta with LC50 349.042 mg/L and 118.336 mg/L at 48 h, respectively. Notably, these two bioactive compounds disrupted the normal energy production through glucose metabolism and the citrate cycle, which eventually led to the death of S. invicta. Further, these two compounds also activated the detoxification metabolic pathway of S. invicta. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the use of these bioactive compounds in the integrated management of S. invicta and may lead to the development of a new biopesticide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingqi Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (M.W.); (R.L.); (M.H.); (S.L.); (Z.G.); (B.J.); (G.B.); (X.G.)
| | - Rongchao Luo
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (M.W.); (R.L.); (M.H.); (S.L.); (Z.G.); (B.J.); (G.B.); (X.G.)
| | - Mehboob Hussain
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (M.W.); (R.L.); (M.H.); (S.L.); (Z.G.); (B.J.); (G.B.); (X.G.)
| | - Wenmei Wu
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China;
| | - Shini Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (M.W.); (R.L.); (M.H.); (S.L.); (Z.G.); (B.J.); (G.B.); (X.G.)
| | - Zijun Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (M.W.); (R.L.); (M.H.); (S.L.); (Z.G.); (B.J.); (G.B.); (X.G.)
| | - Boyu Jia
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (M.W.); (R.L.); (M.H.); (S.L.); (Z.G.); (B.J.); (G.B.); (X.G.)
| | - Gaofeng Bi
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (M.W.); (R.L.); (M.H.); (S.L.); (Z.G.); (B.J.); (G.B.); (X.G.)
| | - Xi Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (M.W.); (R.L.); (M.H.); (S.L.); (Z.G.); (B.J.); (G.B.); (X.G.)
| | - Guoxing Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (M.W.); (R.L.); (M.H.); (S.L.); (Z.G.); (B.J.); (G.B.); (X.G.)
| | - Deqiang Qin
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (M.W.); (R.L.); (M.H.); (S.L.); (Z.G.); (B.J.); (G.B.); (X.G.)
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Aborah M, Scarano F, Neto C. Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Chemical Profiling of Volatile Compounds from Cranberry Plant Byproducts as Potential Antibacterials, Antifungals, and Antioxidants. Molecules 2025; 30:2047. [PMID: 40363851 PMCID: PMC12074010 DOI: 10.3390/molecules30092047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2025] [Revised: 04/22/2025] [Accepted: 04/29/2025] [Indexed: 05/15/2025] Open
Abstract
The increasing resistance of microorganisms to currently used antimicrobials requires the urgent development of new effective treatments. Plant-based natural products can be an alternative solution. The aerial plant parts of the cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) present a potential new source of antimicrobial secondary metabolites. Volatile essential oils were extracted from Stevens, Early Black, and Mullica Queen variety plants by steam distillation (SD) and the Clevenger method (CM), and their profiles were characterized by GC-MS. The extracts and two identified constituents, cinnamaldehyde and terpineol, were screened by the disc diffusion assay against Gram-positive B. cereus ATCC 11778 and S. aureus ATCC 25923 and Gram-negative bacteria E. coli ATCC 25922, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and C. albicans ATCC 14053. Radical scavenging antioxidant activity was also determined using the DPPH assay. The CM extracts were rich in fatty acids, sesquiterpenes, and diterpenes, whereas the SD extracts contained more aldehydes, monoterpenes, and phenylpropanoids. All volatile extracts showed promising antioxidant activity; leaf extract activity was significantly higher than the vine (p < 0.05). The CM leaf and vine extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity against B. cereus, S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans compared to the SD, and the leaf extracts were more effective than the vine extracts. Individual constituents of leaf and vine extracts, cinnamaldehyde and α-terpineol, also showed antimicrobial activity against these organisms. The active constituents of the CM extracts are yet to be identified. A multivariate analysis revealed a particular pattern of inhibition of the tested organisms. Based on our results, cranberry volatile extracts have potential for future valorization as antibacterials, antifungals, and antioxidants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Aborah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA;
| | - Frank Scarano
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA;
| | - Catherine Neto
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA;
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Muthengi A, Karithi A, Ngugi F, Mworia JK. Phytochemical screening and repellence potencies of bioactive molecules of plant extracts derived from Ocimum suave, Ocimum americanum and Eucalyptus citriodora against Anopheles gambiae. Malar J 2025; 24:137. [PMID: 40307848 PMCID: PMC12042372 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-025-05380-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2025] [Indexed: 05/02/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria poses a global threat to human health. It's a vector-borne disease of public health concern and affects the socio-economic status of people in developing countries. Malaria management faces many challenges namely, affordability, availability, and quality of drugs. Plants are considered a very significant resource in many parts of the world due to their variety of uses in treating diseases and ailments. Conventional drugs are expensive and not readily available. Repellents have been in use for the prevention of Anopheles bites, but all these have a myriad of negative effects to the user, such as allergy and dermatitis. This study sought to develop a plant-based Anopheles gambiae repellent for control of malaria, because it is eco-friendly and non-toxic. METHODS The plant leaf samples: Ocimum americanum and Eucalyptus citriodora were collected from Mugui village in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya, while Ocimum suave was harvested at Gacuru village in Meru County, Kenya. The samples were hydro-distilled using a Clevenger apparatus to obtain the essential oils. The experimental tests were done in a repellent testing chamber. The values of repellency action were determined over control at a p-value of 0.05 and 0.01 by one-way ANOVA and separated using Student-Newman-Keels at P ≤ 0.05 using Minitab software. The chemical analysis of the essential oils was done using a Gas Chromatography-Mass Selective detector instrument (GC-MSD). The human-bait method was used to assess the repellency efficacy of the essential oils and their blends against An. gambiae. RESULTS The GC-MSD results revealed that the plants are endowed with terpenoids, such as 1,8-Cineole. β-Bisabolene, β-Pinene, α-Terpineol, and Geranial as the most abundant compounds in the samples. The blend of O. suave and O. americanum in the ratio of 1:1 was the most potent (100.00 ± 0.00) and compared well with the positive control Ballet™ (100.00 ± 0.00). The observation that the blend of O. suave and O. americanum was comparable to Ballet™, suggests that this may be due to additive or synergistic effects of individual constituents. CONCLUSION This study revealed that these plants are endowed with bioactive compounds such as terpenoids and flavonoids that possess potent repellency against An. gambiae mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Muthengi
- Department of Basic Sciences, Tharaka University, P.O. Box 193 - 60215, Marimanti, Kenya.
| | - Alice Karithi
- Department of Basic Sciences, Tharaka University, P.O. Box 193 - 60215, Marimanti, Kenya
| | - Fidelis Ngugi
- Department of Basic Sciences, Tharaka University, P.O. Box 193 - 60215, Marimanti, Kenya
| | - Joseph Kiambi Mworia
- Department of Physical Sciences, Meru University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 972 60200, Meru, Kenya
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Khan A, Kanwal F, Ullah S, Fahad M, Tariq L, Altaf MT, Riaz A, Zhang G. Plant Secondary Metabolites-Central Regulators Against Abiotic and Biotic Stresses. Metabolites 2025; 15:276. [PMID: 40278405 PMCID: PMC12029941 DOI: 10.3390/metabo15040276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2025] [Revised: 03/16/2025] [Accepted: 04/02/2025] [Indexed: 04/26/2025] Open
Abstract
As global climates shift, plants are increasingly exposed to biotic and abiotic stresses that adversely affect their growth and development, ultimately reducing agricultural productivity. To counter these stresses, plants produce secondary metabolites (SMs), which are critical biochemical and essential compounds that serve as primary defense mechanisms. These diverse compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and nitrogen/sulfur-containing compounds, act as natural protectants against herbivores, pathogens, and oxidative stress. Despite the well-documented protective roles of SMs, the precise mechanisms by which environmental factors modulate their accumulation under different stress conditions are not fully understood. This review provides comprehensive insights into the recent advances in understanding the functions of SMs in plant defense against abiotic and biotic stresses, emphasizing their regulatory networks and biosynthetic pathways. Furthermore, we explored the unique contributions of individual SM classes to stress responses while integrating the findings across the entire spectrum of SM diversity, providing a comprehensive understanding of their roles in plant resilience under multiple stress conditions. Finally, we highlight the emerging strategies for harnessing SMs to improve crop resilience through genetic engineering and present novel solutions to enhance agricultural sustainability in a changing climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameer Khan
- Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310029, China;
| | - Farah Kanwal
- National Key Laboratory for Tropical Crop Breeding, School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya 572025, China;
| | - Sana Ullah
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan;
| | - Muhammad Fahad
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China;
| | - Leeza Tariq
- National Key Laboratory for Rice Biology and Breeding, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China;
| | - Muhammad Tanveer Altaf
- Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Pazar, Rize 53300, Turkey;
| | - Asad Riaz
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Guoping Zhang
- Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310029, China;
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan;
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Hyder M, Ul Haq I, Younas M, Ghafar MA, Akhtar MR, Ahmed Z, Bukero A, Hou Y. Floral Resource Integration: Enhancing Biocontrol of Tuta absoluta Within Sustainable IPM Frameworks. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2025; 14:319. [PMID: 39942881 PMCID: PMC11821143 DOI: 10.3390/plants14030319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2024] [Revised: 01/19/2025] [Accepted: 01/20/2025] [Indexed: 02/16/2025]
Abstract
The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta, is a pest threatening global tomato production. This pest's adaptability and resistance to chemical insecticides have necessitated integrated pest management (IPM) strategies prioritizing sustainable alternatives. This review explores the role of biological control agents (BCAs) in managing T. absoluta populations, emphasizing the integration of floral resources to enhance their efficacy. Predatory mirids such as Macrolophus pygmaeus and Nesidiocoris tenuis and parasitoids such as N. artynes and Trichogramma spp. are pivotal in pest suppression; however, their performance depends on nutritional and habitat support. Floral resources provide essential sugars and proteins, improving the longevity, fecundity, and predation efficiency of these BCAs. This review synthesizes case studies highlighting the benefits of selected flowering plants, such as Lobularia maritima and Fagopyrum esculentum, in supporting predator and parasitoid populations while minimizing advantages to T. absoluta. Mechanisms such as nectar quality, floral accessibility, and spatial-temporal resource availability are explored in detail. Additionally, the challenges of selective floral attraction, microbial impacts on nectar composition, and the unintended support of non-target organisms are discussed. This review proposes targeted floral management strategies to optimize BCA performance within IPM systems by integrating ecological and chemical insights. This approach offers a pathway toward reducing chemical pesticide reliance, fostering sustainable agriculture, and mitigating the economic impacts of T. absoluta infestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moazam Hyder
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Biopesticides and Chemical Biology, MOE, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (M.H.)
| | - Inzamam Ul Haq
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Biopesticides and Chemical Biology, MOE, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (M.H.)
| | - Muhammad Younas
- Vector-Borne Virus Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Muhammad Adeel Ghafar
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Biopesticides and Chemical Biology, MOE, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (M.H.)
| | - Muhammad Rehan Akhtar
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Biopesticides and Chemical Biology, MOE, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (M.H.)
| | - Zubair Ahmed
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Biopesticides and Chemical Biology, MOE, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (M.H.)
| | - Aslam Bukero
- Department of Entomology, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam 70050, Pakistan
| | - Youming Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Biopesticides and Chemical Biology, MOE, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (M.H.)
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